Centerville may get Megaplex theater

CENTERVILLE — Night life in Centerville? A few years ago that would have sounded nearly impossible.

But by 2011, this Davis County city could become a destination for film and theater.

U.S. Development, a developer based in Layton, is working with another developer on a plan to bring a 14-screen Megaplex theater, entertainment center and 252 units of residential apartments to Centerville between I-15 and Legacy Parkway.

The development is being planned for 28 acres just south of Parrish Lane and west of I-15.

Combine it with the future opening of the $14 million Davis Cultural Arts Center, a live-performance theater currently under construction, and Centerville has the makings for a night life.

"There's a big demand in the area," said assistant city manager Blaine Lutz.

Currently, the closest first-run movie theaters are located at Salt Lake City's Gateway mall and in Layton. And the city's theatrical entertainment comes from Rodgers Memorial Theatre, which runs shows regularly but will be moving to the Davis Cultural Arts Center when it opens.

The Centerville City Council recently approved a zoning change to allow the development's residential component, said Cory Snyder.

Snyder said he expects the developer to prepare a master plan and development agreement, which could be sent to the city by the end of January.

Dan Bridenstine, owner of U.S. Development, said he is working on presentations for potential lenders and would hope to break ground on the theater in the spring, to be followed by groundbreaking on the apartments in the fall.

Centerville Mayor Ron Russell said his city is blessed with easy direct access to I-15 and that the theater will be located in an ideal spot with freeway frontage.

He expects the theater to help generate economic activity to keep the area vibrant and to keep restaurants and shopping going.

"Our residents are excited about it," he said.

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